Thursday, June 27, 2013 Surrey/North Delta Leader 3
‘Bella’ mauled to death in Sullivan Park Surrey family traumatized by dog attack by Tracy Holmes A SurrEy woman is appealing to dog owners to be responsible in public, after her own dog was mauled to death by an offleash dog in Sullivan Park last week. Anita Uppal said she arrived at the 6272 152 St. park June 18 with her niece and three dogs – two Lhasa Apso-poodle crosses and Bella, a Havanese-shih tzu cross – when the attack occurred. Uppal, 41, said she took Bella’s leash off to take a photograph of the recently groomed four-year-old, and Bella was busy sniffing around the base of a tree when Uppal spotted a Rottweiler and a golden retriever bee-lining for her. The Rottweiler “grabbed her by the back of her neck, kind of shook her and smashed her down. Killed her instantly, broke her neck,” Uppal said. “There was no owners, there was nobody present. The couple came about 20 seconds later.” Uppal said City of Surrey animal control officers are involved, and that the Rottweiler owner called her the next morning to apologize for what had happened. The woman insisted that her dog was friendly, Uppal said. “Big dogs, they may be nice to their family and their owners, but they’re still animals. They have that predatory instinct,” she said. “That dog went right for (Bella’s) neck.” City of Surrey officials were not available for comment by The Leader’s press deadline. Uppal said the incident traumatized her niece and has devastated her 19-year-old daughter, who is deaf and had taught Bella to understand some sign language. But unless owners take steps to ensure they have control of their dogs, it will only happen again, she said. “If that dog was on a leash and the owners were responsible, it wouldn’t have happened,” she said. “I don’t think it’s the dog’s fault. “I just want people to be aware. This is going to happen again.”
EVAN SEAL / THE LEADER
Lucy Hembrough chats with one of the students from William F. Davidson Elementary School, where she has been a crossing guard for 25 years.
On guard for the kids for a quarter-century Lucy Hembrough ensures safe crossings at William F. Davidson by Evan Seal
still doing it,” she says. “I just love it, I love the kids.” And now she’s watching over the children of kids she ArmED WitH only a stop sign and a fluorescent vest, helped two decades ago. Lucy Hembrough has been watching over the students at Some students even come back to visit once they William F. Davidson Elementary have moved on to high school. Every year, for 25 years. Hembrough attends the elementary school The 65-year-old crossing guard graduation as well. makes sure students get to and “I don’t like it when it’s over (the school from the Guildford school – year),” she says. “I know we’re going on holiday, located in the 9900-block of 156 but the last day of school is always sad.” Street – safe and sound twice Most drivers are good she says but the odd a day, from 7:50-8:50a.m. and driver gets frustrated with the slow speed and again from 2-2:45 p.m., rain or honks or waves an angry fist. shine. Lucy Hembrough But the energetic senior never seems to get After some encouragement flustered and has no retirement plans just yet. from a friend many years ago, the “I plan on doing this as long as I can,” she stay-at-home mom decided to give back to her commusays. “Who knows, I could be here another 25 years.” nity and volunteer, “and that was 25 years ago and I’m photoseal@surreyleader.com
“I know we’re going on holiday, but the last day of school is always sad.”
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Bella, 4 (far right), is pictured with (left to right) Jasmin uppal, Simran Gill, Pamela uppal and canine companion Coco.
CLUCK: Local chapter started From Page 1 In addition to that, there would be a maximum of six chickens allowed. McMaster has created a Surrey Backyard Chickens Facebook page and is starting up a local chapter of the Canadian Liberated Urban Chicken Klub (CLUCK), in the hopes of legalizing not only her clandestine coop, but the many dotted all over the city that she had seen over the years.
After winning unanimous endorsement from the city’s agricultural advisory committee on June 13, McMaster is now focusing on creating a education package on raising backyard hens and plans on collaborating with the city to start a pilot project for small-lot flocks. The intention is to have it managed properly so there is no smell or influx of tricky pests – such as rats. “Chickens don’t attract rats, mismanagement of
feed does,” she said. With more meetings with the city in the weeks to come, McMaster said she is hopeful public discussion can spur more interest in where food comes from. “That is where I think – and where I hope – we’re heading towards,” she said. “Food security begins in your own backyard, and that’s where I am at with this.”
kdiakiw@surreyleader.com
~with files from Sarah Massah
SARAH MASSAH / BLACK PRESS
Kate mcmaster with her backyard chicken coop.